Book Events for Jan. 6

Louisiana Public Broadcasting has announced its annual PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest, made possible in part by financial support from Easy Student Publishing, encourages children in grades K-3 to celebrate creativity by submitting their own original stories and illustrations.

“LPB is committed to providing fun opportunities for kids to express their creativity,” said LPB President/CEO Beth Courtney. “The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest helps children in our viewing area build valuable literacy skills for success in school and life.” From Monday, Jan. 7, to Saturday, April 6, children in the LPB viewing areas can submit their entries to the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest. LPB will select local winners and award prizes in the spring. The local winners will be featured on LPB’s website (http://www.lpb.org). The local winners will then be entered into the national contest where a panel of judges will rank the top 12 entries. National winners will be announced during the summer and the winning stories will be featured on http://www.pbskids.org/writerscontest. The national winners will receive prizes, including tablets, e-readers and MP3 players. Additionally, Highlights for Children has joined the contest as a new promotional partner and all participants will have the option to receive a print or digital version of Highlights magazine.

The contest is supported by a set of resources for children, parents and teachers. Story ideas, activity sheets, along with the previous winning entries are available on the contest website to inspire children during the brainstorming process. PBS LearningMedia is also offering a collection of ocnline teacher resources for use in classrooms nationwide.

To enter the contest and for more information on entry rules and contest resources visit LPB’s website.

EBR Parish Library

Bring your lunch downtown to the River Center branch, 120 St. Louis St., for the inaugural Brown Bag Book Club, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. For this first meeting, come prepared to talk about your favorite book, author or genre to share with the group, and the group will decide what to read in the coming months. For more information, call (225) 389-4967.

This month’s Teen Book Chat will have a Sherlock Holmes theme. Teens are invited to the Central branch. 11260 Joor Road, at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, to hear about some interesting books they may want to read including some Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. They may even enjoy some pieces featuring a newer take on the character. For more information, call (225) 262-2644.

Books clubs:

Cover 2 Cover Book Club will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Central Branch, 11260 Joor Road. Children ages 8-11 are invited to join the group as they read Gary Paulsen’s book, Lawn Boy. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register, call (225) 262-2660.

Baker Evening Book Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Baker branch, 3501 Groom Road. Members will discuss Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza.

Mystery Lovers Book Club will meet at noon Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Main branch, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Members will discuss books by Edgar Allan Poe; Faux Poe; and Edgar Awards.

Livingston Parish Library

Are you interested in genealogy but have no clue where to start? The library is offering Genealogy 101, an introduction for amateur family history enthusiasts, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at Albany-Springfield branch, 26941 La. 43, Hammond. Learn about the process of starting genealogical research, resources and people that can help you, types of documents you need to collect, and how to keep it all organized. Registration is required for this event. To register or for details, call the library.

Book clubs:

Livingston Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Main branch, 20390 Iowa St. in Livingston. Members will discuss Illumination Night by Alice Hoffman.

Sunny Side Up Inspirational Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at Watson branch, 36581 Outback Road in Denham Springs. Members will discuss Gods and Kings by Lynn Austin.

Adult Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at Albany-Springfield branch, 26941 La. 43 in Hammond. Members will discuss Look Again by Lisa Scottoline.

Spine Tinglers Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at Watson branch, 36581 Outback Road in Denham Springs. Members will discuss I Can See You by Karen Rose.

Ascension Parish Library

Nearly 200 years ago on Jan. 8, 1815, American forces led by Gen. Andrew Jackson defeated invading British troops intent on seizing the vast territory the United States had acquired through the Louisiana Purchase. The Battle of New Orleans is widely regarded as the most important land victory of the War of 1812. “The Battle of New Orleans: How it Changed the Course of History” details how this epic clash impacted the future of both the country and the rest of the world. Come join speaker, Chuck Perrodin, who has done extensive research on this decisive battle at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Donaldsonville branch, 500 Mississippi St. in Donaldsonville. Registration is required, so call (225) 473-8052 to reserve your spot.

Lafayette Public Library

SciFi/Fantasy Book Club will meet 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the South Regional Library, 6101 Johnston St. Members will discuss Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi.

Krousel to speak

Baton Rouge historian Hilda S. Krousel will present a lecture and book signing on her newly published book, Landmarks and Monuments of Baton Rouge”, at the Old Governor’s Mansion, 502 North Blvd., at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10. The event is sponsored by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana and is free to members and $10 for guests. The new book, published by The History Press, has more than 100 pages of black and white photos and historical information about unique landmarks throughout the city.

Krousel will share tales from her research, photos, and details of how and why she chose the landmarks around the city as well as discuss some that have been lost, like the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto from the LSU campus. She uncovers treasures on the LSU campus, the State Capitol grounds and buildings, the Pentagon Barracks, North Boulevard, and all through downtown too.

Krousel holds a doctorate degree in history from LSU. In 1981, her first book on the First Spanish Governor to the State of Louisiana, Don Antonio de Ulloa was published by VAAPR Inc.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with refreshments sponsored by Calandro’s Fine Cellars and the lecture follows at 6:30 p.m. in the East Room of the mansion. The public is invited to attend.

Writers’ group

Barnes & Noble Westbank, 1601B West Bank Expressway in Harvey is hosting a Writers’ Group 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesdays. This is a networking and critiquing forum for writers of all skill levels. Be prepared to read what you are working on, to take constructive criticism and to give it.

1718 Society

1718 Society, a student-run literary organization of Tulane, Loyola and UNO students, continues their reading series, meeting the first Tuesday of every month at the Columns Hotel, 3811 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Readings start at 7 p.m.

The event is open to the public; 1718’s reading series provides an opportunity to experience writers (primarily local poets, but also fiction writers both local and national), while giving students a forum to present their own work to their peers and the community.

Because of the New Year’s holiday, January’s meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 8. Poet Metta Sama will be reading.

Signings

Brian Dixon, author of Social Media for School Leaders: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting the Most Out of Facebook, Twitter, and Other Essential Web Tools, will sign copies of his book at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Barnes & Noble, 2590 CitiPlace Court.

M.K. Ross, author of Tiny the Teapot, will sign copies of her book at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Barnes & Noble, 2590 CitiPlace Court.

Hilda Krousel, author of Landmarks and Monuments of Baton Rouge, will sign copies of her book at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Barnes & Noble, 2590 CitiPlace Court.

Dr. Paul G. Harch, author of The Oxygen Revolution, will sign copies of his book at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie.